Committees

Much of NCDA's work is conducted through its committees. These committees provide an opportunity for members to serve the association in a leadership position. Listed below the committee title is a brief description and the name of the committee chair. Use the chairperson's email address to express your interest in that committee's activities. All members are welcome to join committees at any time!

Want to join a Committee? Follow these steps:

Read the descriptions below.

Review the annual Committee Report, (posted in September under each Committee below) or review the Mid Year Reports (posted here each March).

Click on the Chairperson's name listed below to send an email expressing interest.

Committees: use the links here to guide your activities:

The Awards Committee is responsible for publicizing and soliciting nominations for and selecting recipients of the various NCDA National Awards. Any NCDA member may nominate a candidate for an award, including themselves. The Awards Committee will also solicit and coordinate the nomination of NCDA members for ACA and other appropriate external awards.

The Bylaws Committee shall have responsibilities for drafting proposals for amendments to these Bylaws. The committee shall carry out such other functions as may be assigned to it in these Bylaws or by the Board. Membership to this committee occurs through NCDA Board appointment only.

NCDA maintains a web magazine entitled Career Convergence. The Website Magazine Editor, in coordination with Associate and Field editors, manages this magazine. The magazine is posted monthly on the NCDA website and is available to the general public. All members are encouraged to apply for Associate and Field editor positions, as well as contribute articles. Submission Guidelines can be found in the online magazine.

The Career Development Quarterly (CDQ) is the official journal of NCDA. The editor is responsible for editing and preparing four issues of the CDQ per year, preparing an annual report and budget statement for the NCDA Board, and for coordinating business functions of the CDQ with ACA officials including plans for expansion of subscriptions. The members on the Editorial Board of the CDQ are recommended by the editor and approved by the board. They serve three year terms, with one third of the members appointed each year. The Editorial Board is responsible for editorial policy and content of the CDQ.

This NCDA members-only print magazine is a themed publication offering articles that balance a broad vision with practical applications. Published four times per year, each issue offers a focused article on a select theme, a feature article on a prominent NCDA event, specific content for five departments, and four regular columns.

The Committee on Diversity Initiatives and Cultural Inclusion works to raise awareness and promote equity and access within the membership and leadership of the National Career Development Association (NCDA). We seek to create an inclusive organization where diversity is viewed from an intersectional perspective, acknowledging the ways in which race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, age, gender identity & expression, mental and physical (dis)ability, sexual orientation, religion, and other identity categories exist along axes of power, privilege, and oppression. The committee aims to provide resources and training to educate and empower members regarding best practices related to diversity in career development practice and research and to serve as a hub for diversity conversations and initiatives within NCDA.

The Ethics Committee is responsible for: (a) educating the membership as to the Association's Ethical Standards, Code of Ethics; (b) making suggestions to the NCDA Board for the modification or development of ethics related documents and procedures; (c) responding to questions about ethical standards and the ethical behavior of NCDA members; and (d) investigating (if called upon by the ACA Ethics Committee or the NCDA Board) complaints of alleged violations of the ethical standards of ACA and NCDA and referring complaints to ACA for adjudication, if necessary.

The Global Connections Committee was formed to unite counselors worldwide who have expressed interest and concern about international policies and practices in career development. The committee achieves this goal by playing an active role in hosting global participants at the NCDA Annual Conference, recognizing global leaders through the International Career Practitioner Award, collaborating with International Career Development Associations as partners in strategic initiatives, and representing issues of global career counseling practice worldwide through information dissemination and advocacy.

This Committee is responsible for: (a) sensitizing NCDA members to current and pending school and educational issues that warrant legislative action; (b) promoting, developing, and monitoring federal legislation relevant to career development services; (c) providing state division presidents with information necessary to act locally upon national legislation, appropriations, and related matters; and (d) extending the professional contacts of NCDA/ACA members to persons outside the profession who are equally concerned with legislation affecting career development services. Click here for Committee and Legislative Updates. See also Tips For Engaging Members of Congress

The NCDA International Student Services Committee aims to increase the understanding of career development experiences and the needs of international students. The committee provides resources and best practice examples to the NCDA members and career development professionals who work with international students in the U.S. Involving a diverse team of dedicated career services practitioners who work with international students on a daily basis, this group advocates for the enhancement of culturally competent career development services, programs and resources that help international students create meaningful career paths in the U.S. and beyond. (Promoted from Task Force to Committee in 2015.)

This is a very active committee, whose members are selected through an application process rather than self-selected, and whose purpose is to manage the Leadership Academy by establishing or revising policies and procedures, by reviewing applications and selecting participants, by coordinating L.A. training and other activities for the participants, and by communicating with the participants of both the incoming and outgoing classes throughout the year.

This Committee coordinates a national brochure reflecting the importance of career development as a practical resource for professionals in promoting the concept of career development. Each year the committee recommends a theme for NCD Month as part of the nationwide observance of career development. The committee designs the contest, brochure, and assists with the publicity activities at professional association conferences.

The Research Committee provides oversight to any research NCDA conducts, is asked to participate in, or awards grants to. Such oversight may include coordination of samples, surveys, etc.; screening research proposals for NCDA grants; suggesting research topics for NCDA members; and identifying career research needs. Review the Request For Research Participation if you are looking for NCDA members as subjects.

Request for Proposals (deadline March 15, 2019): to foster targeted research projects to build public awareness of career development and the effectiveness of career interventions, counseling, and programming, the NCDA Research Committee, under direction of the NCDA board presents the following RFP to career development researchers and practitioners: Second Century Research Initiative

The NCDA Technology Committee provides recommendations to the Board on technology development, concerns and issues relevant to NCDA as an organization and its members. The objectives of the committee are:

To report to the NCDA organization and Board and provide feedback about technology with distinctions between efficient and effective use

To assist NCDA in identifying online platforms for members to participate in networking and professional development

To maintain a database of knowledge experts who conduct training and development on technology in career development

To develop systems to distribute guidelines and techniques on the use of technology in career development

To cross-collaborate with other NCDA committees on the integration of technology, as appropriate.

The National Career Development Association Board of Directors formed the Training and Education Council (TEC) in 2018 to provide oversight and advisement for NCDA’s training programs including Facilitating Career Development (FCD), Career Practitioner Supervision (CPS), and the School Career Development Advisor (SCDA) Training Programs. The TEC rotates a minimum of 2 members each year. Each council member serves a 3-year term.

The Veterans Task Force was formed in mid-2011 to provide a forum for discussion of veterans’ career and employment issues within NCDA. Initial goals of the task force are: 1) To establish a means for NCDA members interested in veterans’ issues to communicate with each other; 2) To advise the association on projects related to veterans; 3) To encourage presentations on veterans’ issues at the annual conference and other professional development opportunities; 4) To encourage research and publication of articles on career development issues related to veterans; and 5) To provide resources on veterans’ issues for NCDA members (see the Bibliography Of Military Career Transition Research 2000 – Present ). The task force has instituted a LinkedIn discussion group.